RELATIVES of a cancer victim are helping to bring relief to sufferers undergoing gruelling months of treatment.

The devastation of Lee Thorp's death prompted his family to raise cash towards revamping rooms used by young patients at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

They raised £30,000 towards the £140,000 makeover to make the young persons unit in the cancer centre feel like a home from home.

Families of other patients and University Hospital Trust's charities brought in the rest of the cash so that three rooms could be created, including a new sensory room, that help patients relax away from the clinical atmosphere of the wards.

Lee's mother, Hazel Thorp, from Redditch, said: "We wanted to do something to make the ward more comfortable for the patients and families who spend so much time there.

"What's now been created is absolutely stunning and we're so pleased other patients and their families will benefit from it."

The Thorp family put their minds to raising cash through events from a water-ski marathon to running the London Marathon and golf days.

Patients, aged between 14 and 25, were asked exactly what they would like to see in the centre, which has resulted in a nature-themed haven including "roots" side tables, a vine of wall stickers, a black cherry leaf mobile even made with anti-microbial furniture fabrics.

Nicky Pettitt, the ward sister on the young person's unit at the hospital in Edgbaston, said: "The aim was to create spaces that were right for young people and for what they want to do.

"It's breathtaking and the patients and their families love it.

"There are even new tables that have a hole in them, so they can be moved with one hand when patients are guiding drip stands with chemotherapy drugs."

QE patient Emily Blunt said: "Since the refurbishment of the young people's unit, I have found that not only is it a much brighter and colourful place to be, but also a more sociable place.